Manama: Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have solidified their relations by signing a series of agreements during the fourth meeting of the Bahraini-Saudi Coordination Council. The council meeting was led by Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the meeting featured the signing of a cooperation program between the Mohammad bin Mubarak Al Khaifa Academy and the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for diplomatic studies. This program was signed by Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Al Zayani commended the efforts of the Bahraini-Saudi Coordination Council in enhancing bilateral cooperation and integration.
The agreements included a pact to avoid double taxation, signed by Bahrain's Minister of Finance and National Economy Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two countries' ministries of communications. Bahrain's Communications Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Khalifa remarked that the memo reflects an integrated vision and a commitment to boost human potential and develop the transport system.
Further agreements included an MoU between Bahrain's Supreme Council for Environment and Saudi Arabia's Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission, focusing on nuclear safety and radiation protection. This was signed by Dr. Mohammad bin Mubarak Bin Dainah, Bahrain's Minister of Oil and Environment, and Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia.
The meeting also saw the signing of an MoU between Bahrain's Ministry of Sustainable Development and Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Economy and Planning to enhance cooperation in sustainable development. The agreement aims to foster collaboration through the exchange of expertise, capacity building, and the development of joint programmes to support sustainable economic growth.
Additionally, an MoU was signed to promote cooperation in the non-profit sector, involving Bahrain's Minister of Social Development Osama bin Saleh Al Alawi and Saudi Minister of Media Salman bin Yousif Al Amour Al Dossary.
Lastly, a MoU between the University of Bahrain and King Saud University was signed to enhance academic and scientific cooperation. This agreement seeks to develop partnerships that support higher education and research priorities in both countries, as well as to explore opportunities for collaboration and exchange of expertise in relevant fields.